Cloakroom: They’re Back!

Josh Robbins /
September 09, 2012

House Cloakroom: September 10 – September 14

Analysis: Both Houses of Congress return this week to tackle welfare policy, farm policies, and appropriations for the government. On September 30, the 2012 fiscal year will end, and the government will run out of funding without Congress acting. Because they did not complete all of the necessary appropriations bills, there will likely be a continuing resolution to fund the government into next year. The authorization for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program expires on September 30, as well as the 2008 farm bill, which provides for massive agricultural subsidies and nutrition assistance programs. These issues will likely be dealt with in some form during this short period before Congress recesses again to campaign before the election.